The Wayland Board of Education Monday evening came within one vote of amending the Coronavirus quarantine period for the high school from 14 to 10 days.
The board voted 4-3 to accept the recommendation of the Allegan County Health Department to shut down Wayland High School until Monday, March 22. President Dan Cassini, Vice President Pete Zondervan and Trustees Becky Hohnke and Jason Shane voted to stick with the 14 days. Members Toni Ordway, Theresa Dobry and Janel Hott voted in the negative because they believe a 10-day quarantine, as advised by the Centers for Disease Control, is a better option.
Superintendent Dr. Christina Hinds announced Friday the high school would move to all on-line learning after in-person classroom instruction since Feb. 15 because of disappointing numbers of Covid-19 cases during the past week.
In the most unfriendly critique of Hinds since she took over as superintendent July 1, Brett Butler of Dorr took umbrage with her unilaterally closing the high school to classroom instruction because a small number of students had tested positive.
He charged that she was “destroying the entire student body” because of a disease that kills a tiny percentage of people in this age group.
The superintendent earlier in the evening explained she made the decision to go to virtual learning in the interests of public safety, on the recommendation of health department experts.
Ordway said it’s her understanding that after 10 days, the CDC has determined that the risk of virus spread drops significantly.
Dobry maintained that, “I’m sure the number of students not exposed is high.”
But Shane opined, “We need to follow the guidance of scientists. We can’t ignore that or not pay attention to it.”
Hohnke said that when the board agreed to reopen schools classrooms full time starting Feb. 15, “we said we would follow the guidance of the health department. We’re not medical experts.”
Zondervan added, “I believe we have to follow policy and procedures, not based on emotions, but facts. Most troubling to me is that the community doesn’t seem to take this as seriously as we do.”
Indeed, an informal survey of community residents showed about 80 percent want students to attend school all day, every day, in person, regardless of the viral pandemic.
Cassini, who cast the deciding vote, said, “We have to identify that there still is a risk (with the virus). Our parents have to lead the way.”
Statewide and nationwide there has been a great deal of encouraging news about the Covid crisis because of huge increases in vaccinations and statistical decreases in cases and deaths. So the uptick in Covid cases at Wayland High Schools was an unwelcome surprise.
In other business at Monday’s meeting, the board:
- Welcomed the most popular part of the meeting, a video and presentation on Pine Street Elementary by Principal Robyn Robinson. Teacher Susan Boehm’s short film and “Welcome Back, Kotter” soundtrack showed fourth- and fifth-graders glad to come back to school the morning of Feb. 15.
- Was told by Assistant Supt. of Finance Patricia Velie that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer plans to increase per-pupil state aid from $8,111 to $8,225, but a loss of about 180 students since last spring will cut into additional revenue.
- Was glad-handed virtually by nurse Gwen Fosse of C.S. Mott Hospital for meeting requirements again to be included as a MiHeart Safe School designee. She mentioned the efforts of Lisa Wilkerson and Matt Miller.
- Approved a request from parents of the Class of 2021 for Grad Bash buses and drivers.
- Agreed to provide up to two days of sick time relief for faculty and staff, if necessary, on the days they get their first and second vaccines.
- Approved the purchase of two buses for $93,000, with half the costs absorbed by funds from Gun Lake Casino revenue sharing.
- Approved the purchase and installation of a walking/running track at Dorr Elementary.
